Even CM’s visit couldn’t stop Pote’s march to upper house

AMRAVATI: Despite its strong efforts, the Congress could not wrest the legislative council seat from local body constituency in Amravati when BJP candidate Praveen Pote won the poll on Monday. BJP has thus maintained its winning streak since 12 years.
Four candidates including BJP candidate Praveen Pote, Congress candidate Bablu Deshmukh, independent candidate Ajay Nawandar and NCP rebel candidate Ganesh Roy were in fray for the poll.
In the second round, Pote secured 50 votes of second preference while Deshmukh secured 24. Pote was declared winner as he got 194 votes while Deshmukh secured 156.
Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan had campaigned for Bablu Deshmukh. He had convened a meeting of the Congress, NCP and other independent candidates to seek the votes for the Congress. It seems that those who promised CM to support the Congress candidate did not keep their promise.
Sources had also said that NCP leader Sulabha Khodke would support Pote.